Turquoise has been mined on six continents and traded by cultures throughout the world's history, including the European, Chinese, Mayan, Aztec, Inca, and Southwest Native American. It has been set in silver and gold jewelry, cut and shaped into fetish animals, and even formed to represent gods in many religions. This gemstone is displayed in museums around the world, representing the arts and traditions of prehistoric, historic, and modern societies. Turquoise focuses on the latest information in science and art from the greatest turquoise collections around the globe.

Product Description

About the Author

Joe Dan Lowry is world-renowned for his knowledge about turquoise and is sought after for appraisals, interviews, and lectures. He owns turquoise mines, is a skilled lapidary, and is co-author of the book Turquoise Unearthed. He developed and is curator of the Turquoise Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he lives.

Joe P. Lowry has been the president of Zach-Low since 1972 and is the founder and president of The Turquoise Museum since 1993. He has been involved in bringing education to the turquoise and Indian jewelry industry at museums and national parks around the country. He co-authored Turquoise Unearthed with his son, Joe Dan Lowry.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

A pick recommended for any science collection strong in minerals and gems - and many a general-interest holding!Dec 13 2010

By
Midwest Book Review
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover

TURQUOISE; THE WORLD STORY OF A FASCINATING GEMSTONE pairs an oversized, coffee-table-size eye catcher with the history and folklore of turquoise, covering its arts, traditions, and effects on human lives from prehistoric to modern times. Artifacts and collection photos represent cultures from around the world while stories, science and more capture all the facets of the gemstone in a pick recommended for any science collection strong in minerals and gems - and many a general-interest holding!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

The first book that tells the whole story of Turquoise around the world.Dec 16 2010

By
A. Todd
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover
Verified Purchase

This is the very first book to ever talk about turquoise from all over the world, as well as imitation turquoise, stabilized turquoise, everything. You don't have to read it, due to the wonderful photographs of turquoise. But, if you do read it, you will learn more than you ever imagined about a mineral that was actually named after the country, Turkey, and not the animal. That's right, turquoise is not just a southwestern US stone. It is found in China, Russia, Iran, in fact anywhere that copper and a few other necessary minerals are nearby. This book is already in its second printing, but will never surpass Joe Dan Lowry's first book, Turquoise Unearthed. Both books should be in the turquoise lover's library.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

The bestMarch 22 2011

By
Michele
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover
Verified Purchase

This is the best book on turquoise I have ever seen. It is beautiful, the pictures are beautiful and chosen for what they illustrate as well as their own artistry. The authors are well known, well versed and the book is a job well done. This book is a must have for every turquoise and gemstone lover, student or teacher. It is also a great coffee table book for novices.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4 or 5 stars for photos; 1 or 2 stars for textNov. 24 2013

By
John Karon
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover

Joe Dan is the owner and manager of the turquoise museum in Albuquerque; Joe P. is his son. (If you are in Albuquerque, it is definitely worth a visit: just west of Old Town, but call for an appointment for the tour.) They know a great deal about turquoise but are not professional writers; the text is illustrative of that. The strong point of the book is the photos (contrary to another review, half of them are not photos of mines!). The book is packed with photos of artifacts, jewelry, sculptures, raw turquoise, polished turquoise -- and a some of mine exteriors and turquoise processing. All photos are clearly labelled. However, some photos showing many specimens or cabochons from a mine are taken from too far away to clearly show the matrix and color of the turquoise. Some of the text is very informative, but some is not. The description of turquoise use by old civilizations seems to be examples drawn from the literature, rather than an integrated summary of use in a civilization. The chapter on imitations describes the processes used in some detail but doesn't allow you to identify one; if you want genuine turquoise, the authors urge you to require that the seller provide a statement of the origin of the stone. Most of the information in the chapter on mines is the date first mined and the history of ownership, rather than describing the typical matrix and color of high-grade ore from the mine. There is good information on the geology of turquoise; the authors credit the assistance of a New Mexico geologist.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Outstanding referenceJune 2 2014

By
Colleen Werley
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover
Verified Purchase

This book has everything you always wanted to know about turquoise. The pictures and accompanying information are outstanding. It's worth the price for anyone interested in wearing or collecting turquoise jewery.